The Fresno (Calif.) Unified School District has begun installing a canopy system of solar panels over parking lots throughout the district.

District officials says the 8.2 megawatt system is expected to save Fresno Unified about $27 million over 20 years.

“This project ensures the district has facilities that are environmentally friendly while also providing a real-life look at STEM learning," says Superintendent Bob
Nelson.

The district is partnering with ForeFront Power on the project.

"By partnering with ForeFront Power, we were able to procure solar and storage for each of our comprehensive high schools and the District's Service Center at no cost to taxpayers," says Karin Temple, the district's Chief Operations Officer.

Construction of the solar canopy systems is underway at Bullard, Fresno, Roosevelt, and McLane High Schools. Installation will begin at four other sites in the coming weeks. The eight solar installations are expected to offset the equivalent of 10,633 tons of carbon dioxide avoidance annually or 2,000 cars taken off the road for the first year of production.